Medulla Poetarum Romanorum Or, the Most Beautiful and Instructive Passages of the Roman Poets. Being a Collection, (Disposed under proper Heads,) Of such Descriptions, Allusions, Comparisons, Characters, and Sentiments, as may best serve to shew the Religion, Learning, Politicks, Arts, Customs, Opinions, Manners, and Circumstances of the Antients. With Translations of the same in English Verse. By Mr. Henry Baker |
 | I. |
|
|
| II. |
|
|
Scylla and Charybdis. |
|
 | Medulla Poetarum Romanorum |  |
Scylla and Charybdis.
Far off we hear the Sea with dreadful Roar
Break on the Rocks, and dash upon the Shore.
The foamy Waves boil high on ev'ry Side,
And scoop the Sands, and blacken all the Tide.
Charybdis' Gulf, my Father cries, behold!
And those the Rocks which Helenus foretold:
Ply, ply your Oars, my Friends, and bear away:
Swift as the Word, the Mariners obey.
First skillful Palinure: then all the Train
Steer to the left, and plow the liquid Main.
Now on a tow'ring Arch of Waves we rise,
Heav'd on the bounding Billows to the Skies;
Then as the roaring Surge retreating fell,
We shoot down headlong to the Depths of Hell.
Thrice the rough Rocks rebellow in our Ears,
Thrice mount we on the Waves, and see the dewy Stars.—
Break on the Rocks, and dash upon the Shore.
The foamy Waves boil high on ev'ry Side,
And scoop the Sands, and blacken all the Tide.
Charybdis' Gulf, my Father cries, behold!
And those the Rocks which Helenus foretold:
Ply, ply your Oars, my Friends, and bear away:
Swift as the Word, the Mariners obey.
First skillful Palinure: then all the Train
Steer to the left, and plow the liquid Main.
Now on a tow'ring Arch of Waves we rise,
Heav'd on the bounding Billows to the Skies;
Then as the roaring Surge retreating fell,
We shoot down headlong to the Depths of Hell.
Thrice the rough Rocks rebellow in our Ears,
Thrice mount we on the Waves, and see the dewy Stars.—
331
On the right Hand roars Scylla, on the Left
Implacable Charybdis, which, with Gulf
Voracious, thrice sucks in the broken Tides;
Then spouts them high, disgorg'd, into the Air,
Alternate, and with Billows beats the Stars.
But Scylla, with dark Caverns round inclos'd,
Uprears her Head, and draws among her Rocks
The Vessels: Human is her upper Part,
A Virgin's beauteous Face, and beauteous Breast;
Her nether Shape a monstrous Pristis joyn'd
To Tails of Dolphins, and the Wombs of Wolves.—
Implacable Charybdis, which, with Gulf
Voracious, thrice sucks in the broken Tides;
Then spouts them high, disgorg'd, into the Air,
Alternate, and with Billows beats the Stars.
But Scylla, with dark Caverns round inclos'd,
Uprears her Head, and draws among her Rocks
The Vessels: Human is her upper Part,
A Virgin's beauteous Face, and beauteous Breast;
Her nether Shape a monstrous Pristis joyn'd
To Tails of Dolphins, and the Wombs of Wolves.—
| Medulla Poetarum Romanorum | |